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Mazda CX-7Model year report

2012 Mazda CX-7 Problems

Compared with other Mazda CX-7 years

Fewer complaints than typical for this model

0/100 0.2× a typical year · 50 = typical

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
39filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
76,000miles, 16 complaints with mileage
Recalls
43 do-not-drive
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
22 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl FWD · 20 city / 27 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Mazda CX-7 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 39 consumer complaints for the 2012 Mazda CX-7. The part named most often is suspension, with 14 complaints (36% of the total), followed by air bags (12) and exterior lighting (7). 16 of the complaints include a mileage, and 25% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 76,000 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns (3 marked do-not-drive) and 233 technical service bulletins for this model year. Suspension complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the lower ball joint and 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 3 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 9 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 4 Mazda CX-7 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 0 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Wheels (2), Brakes (1), Engine (1), Seats (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1).

Example complaints

Suspension: “Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Mazda CX-7. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, it accelerated without the contact depressing the accelerator pedal. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred several times. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000. In addition, the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 17v012000 (air bags) and 16v593000 (suspension) however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. Vin tool confirms parts not available.”

NHTSA complaint #10969482, filed 2017-03, 90,000 miles

Air bags: “Mazda has not completed the recall on my vehicle in a timely manner. I have been getting recall notices for months telling me that parts are not available and that I should not allow passengers to ride in my vehicle because they can be seriously injured. My car is a family vehicle, I need to have passengers in my front seat. This is unacceptable.”

NHTSA complaint #10978992, filed 2017-04

Exterior lighting: “No accidents has happened, but the low beam headlights keep blowing out. I have to have them replaced every 3-6 months. Obviously there is a problem. Upon doing search on internet, I notice several complaints on this problem. Lights are not cheap and very frustrating when you are driving at night and this happens.”

NHTSA complaint #11372547, filed 2020-11, 141,000 miles

Electrical system: “Opened the driver side door to get into vehicle this morning all was fine. When I got to work and tried to open the driver door, it would not open. I got out of the car by climbing over the center console and opening the side door. I checked the other doors (and trunk) and they all opened. I checked the driver side door from outside the vehicle then and it still would not open. It's a safety hazard if you need to get out of the car quickly. Also I am a senior citizen so it's no longer easy to climb over the seats to open the passenger door instead.”

NHTSA complaint #11352825, filed 2020-09, 65,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

25% of the 16 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 50,000 and 89,000 miles.

13%0–106%10–256%25–5025%50–7531%75–10019%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (16 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 76,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

20122013201620171920182019202020212023
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Mazda CX-7. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
CX-7 · SUV AWDnot rated———4 · 14.7% risk
CX-7 · SUV FWDnot rated———4 · 14.7% risk

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2012 Mazda CX-7 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
CX-7 2WD2.3L 4-cyl6-speed automatic182420$4,100
CX-7 2WD2.5L 4-cyl5-speed automatic202722$3,050
CX-7 4WD2.3L 4-cyl6-speed automatic172119$4,350

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2012 Mazda CX-7 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 233 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 233 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mazda CX-7

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20123976,0004—220 · FewerFalling
201115451,5004—2350 · TypicalRising
201015565,0005—2359 · TypicalFalling
20096563,4965—2042 · TypicalStable
200819261,0004—1978 · MoreFalling
200752864,5004—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Mazda CX-7 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 Mazda CX-7 have?

NHTSA recorded 39 consumer complaints for the 2012 Mazda CX-7 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2012 Mazda CX-7 is reported most often?

Suspension is named most often, in 14 complaints (36% of the total), followed by air bags with 12.

Has the 2012 Mazda CX-7 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year, 3 of them with a do-not-drive advisory. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Mazda CX-7 get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Mazda CX-7 (CX-7 2WD, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 20 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Mazda CX-7 reported?

Among the 16 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 76,000 miles and the middle half falls between 50,000 and 89,000 miles; 25% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.